On April 12, 1871, Marx writes to Kugelmann {«Neue Zeit», XX, characteristically compare with Bakunin, 1901-1902, p. 709; in this volume only two letters on the Commune; the remaining letters to Kugelmann in vol. XX, 2. NB):

«... it is evident to me that after the factual destruction of the administrative and governmental machinery, only the immediate revolutionary action of the people can save France...»

**Two errors of the Commune:**

NB

«If you consult the last chapter of my "Eighteenth Brumaire," you will find that I there express as the next attempt of the French revolution, not, as hitherto, to transfer the bureaucratic-military machinery from one hand to another, but to smash it (italics Marx's), and this is the precondition of every real popular revolution on the continent. This is also the attempt of our heroic Parisian party comrades».

both errors consisted in the lack of offensive action, in the lack of consciousness and determination to smash the bureaucratic-military state machinery

**Very important is Marx's judgment (April 12, 1871) on the causes of the possible defeat of the Commune:** «If they» (the Parisian workers) «are defeated, nothing is to blame but their 'good-naturedness'. One should have marched on Versailles immediately... The right moment was missed out of scruples of conscience. They did not want to open civil war as if... Thiers had not already opened civil war... Second error: The Central Committee gave up its power too early in order to make way for the Commune. Again out of too 'honorable' scrupulosity» (p. 709).

NB

* This text was written by V. I. Lenin at the top of the manuscript page. Editor's note.